Instructional Design Courses

Instructional design courses vary depending on various factors such as the particular university and the focus of study (i.e. concentration). Most institutions prepare students for graduate level programs in instructional design and technology only. I.e. instructional design masters and instructional design PhD degree programs. These disciplines are Master of Science (MSc.) Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (M.Ed), Educational specialist (Ed.S), Doctor of Education (Ed .D), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Only a few programs have undergraduate or bachelors degrees but some programs have a Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology Online. Below is a sample of typical instructional design classes that you can expect from various programs, depending on their focus. Names or titles will vary by program.

Educational Technology Training and Education

Instructional design courses are based on learning theories and instructional design models such as ADDIE. Coursework varies depending on the actual degree program. For example, some programs may have more of a teacher education focus, while others may cater to corporate instructional design, a Human Performance Technology (HPT) or training.

Additionally some of the courses will be required or mandatory but students would have some electives to choose from. Again, this will vary from school to school and program to program, and whether they are masters or doctoral level. In some cases some of the colleges offer instructional design certification. The important thing to ensure is that the college or university is accredited.

Typical Instructional Design Courses

These courses listed below are generic names but typically they form the core, foundational, or cognate area. Actual names may vary by the degree program offerings.

The following courses vary depending on the individual program. Typically, students select a few classes and some of these may be repeatable.

Special Topics in Instructional Design and Technology

Readings in Instructional Design and Technology

Research in Instructional Design and Technology

Directed Studies in Instructional Design and Technology

Scholarly Project or Research Project

Independent Study

Internship

Educational psychology

Research methods

Thesis

* Note that these will vary by individual department or college and structure of the program as well. Specific names or titles will also vary.

Instructional Design Careers

Instructional technologists help to enhance their own teaching, in addition to helping other educators and trainers learn about current technology trends. Many professionals who become experts in instructional technology are already involved in the area of training and education, and they then go on to gain educational technology expertise.

Some educational technologists who gain expertise in instructional technology work in library and media resources as well technology administrators and corporate trainers, and e-learning experts. Instructional design careers include working as a technical writer, senior instructional designer, project manager, multimedia specialist, and elearning specialist, to mention a few.

Programs:

Learning at Full Sail University has always centered around interaction and the exchange of ideas. Our online curriculum fully embraces this philosophy. We have developed our own online learning environment with the aim of being the most people-focused education experience on the web.

Programs:

Northcentral University was founded in 1996 to provide working professionals around the world with unprecedented access to richly engaging, professionally relevant, and academically-rigorous education from a U.S. university.

As a regionally accredited, private, online and graduate-focused university, NCU offers doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business, technology management, education, and psychology, as well as doctoral and master’s degrees in marriage and family therapy.

If education is your passion, Concordia University-Portland is your university. One of the most respected names in learning today, Concordia offers several fully online Master of Education (MEd) programs—most of which can completed in one year—and a fully online Doctorate of Education (EdD) program. Our graduates stand out with the skills, integrity, and compassion necessary to meet the ever-changing needs of students today. Together, we're all making an impact in education.

Programs:

EWU—a regional, comprehensive public university located in Cheney, Washington—is a driving force for the culture, economy and vitality of the Inland Northwest region. A focus on personal attention, faculty excellence, and community collaboration allows EWU to accomplish its mission for preparing well-rounded students to hit the ground running in their chosen career fields.

Programs:

The oldest university in the state of Mississippi, MC seeks to lift up the teachings of Jesus Christ in a premier academic environment at an affordable price. Our aim is to infuse Christ into every aspect of our culture – in the classroom, throughout campus life, and in the hearts of our students. Our online programs provide working adults the flexibility and opportunity they need to further their career. Life can be hectic, especially when challenging personal commitments with work and family arise. Simply said, many adults need a full-time online program in order for them to reach their academic goals.

Programs:

At Arkansas State, we produce more than graduates-we combine the theory with the practice to create innovators and leaders of tomorrow.

With 11 colleges representing all major academic disciplines, a student population of more than 14,000 and 700 faculty, Arkansas State is a global center of learning for some of the most important emerging technologies and new sciences shaping the future of our world.

LSU Shreveport is a proud member of the acclaimed LSU University System. With LSUS, you can find the graduate program that fits your lifestyle and your career goals. You can open the door to new career opportunities without putting your life on hold.

Top Reasons to Enroll:

A degree earned from LSUS carries with it the stellar reputation of the LSU University System at a fraction of the cost of comparable programs.